An orange-colored classic car, maybe a Chevy Impala, pulls into the parking lot of Santa Maria Stereo and a tan, middle-aged man wearing sunglasses gets out. Store manager Jon Blaies greets him and a short conversation ensues. A few laughs, a couple pats on the shoulder, and the man walks out with a satisfied look on his face.
“That was a $700 to $800 sale,” Blaies said confidently.
This is how Blaies works his magic at Santa Maria Stereo, where he became manager last January.
A former U.S. Navy hull technician who served on the USS Boxer, Blaies (pronounced “blaze”) traded the welding torch for a set of speakers and a life of sound.
Now Blaies makes a living selling amplifiers, DJ equipment, and generally most things that go thump in the night. He is a licensed dealer for all major brands, including Pioneer, Alpine, Kicker, American DJ, Shure, QSC, and Rane. Santa Maria Stereo installs DJ lighting equipment, too. According to Blaies, his shop is the only full storefront dedicated to all things stereo. He’s also got the goods to trick your ride.
Window tint, car audio equipment, sound proofing, LED lighting, mobile video, auto glass repair, navigation, and security equipment are some of the products available for cars and trucks. Blaies also runs a full-service shop. Attached to the store is a garage where he pimps cars with full custom work, some of which involves chopping metal to make it all fit.
“I just don’t do rims,” he said laughing.
Blaies formerly worked at Lombards Stereo in SLO and was a district manager for Circuit City. With years of retail experience, he takes a no-bones approach to sales and gives you the straight facts about a product.
“Some people think when you buy a stereo, that it’ll last you 20 years,” Blaies said. “It won’t.”
Aside from the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with equipment (usually anywhere between one to three years, according to Blaies), he adds a lifetime warranty on labor for installations.
When he’s not delivering stereo-related products and services, Blaies also moonlights as a DJ around town. He’s been spinning records since he was 11 years old and now makes it his livelihood. He does gigs on the weekend and said he’s DJed at most of the bars around town.
Sound is Blaies’ forte. With a strong base of knowledge for audio equipment and years of experience, it’s like speaking to a resident expert.
“It just helps to know what you’re talking about,” Blaies said.
Santa Maria Stereo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is located at 101 N. Broadway in Santa Maria. For more information, call 354-7266 or visit santamariastereo.com.
Biz Highlights
• Need a little help with Medicare? The Santa Maria Library is hosting a Medicare 101 workshop on April 21 at 6 p.m. The free seminar is designed for new retirees, citizens about to reach retirement, and family members who need help with health-care decisions. The seminar covers the benefits and costs of Medicare, how it works, and how it’s impacted by recent health-care reform. Seminars will also be held on May 19, June 23, July 21, and Aug. 25. The Santa Maria Library is located at 421 S. McClelland St. For more information, call Anna Franco at 903-1745.
• The Lompoc Job and Resource Fair is set for April 16 at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center from 2 to 5 p.m. Some of the employers looking for future employees include the Chumash Casino, Home Depot, FCC Lompoc, Allan Hancock College, Lompoc Unified School District, U.S. Postal Service, The Devereux Foundation, and Casa Pacifica. The Dick DeWees center is located at 1120 W. Ocean Ave. in Lompoc. For more information, contact Jeyde Cardenas at 614-1210 or the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce at 925-2403, Ext. 817.
Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in Apr 16-23, 2015.
